Copyright Registration in Nepal: Step-By-Step Guide

Copyright Registration in Nepal can be conducted through two primary means. First, an Online Application can be submitted through the Website of the Nepal Copyright Registrar. Second, a Physical Application can be submitted to the Office of Copyright Registrar.

This Article features a Complete Guide for Copyright Registration in Nepal including what can be and what cannot be registered as Copyright in Nepal, documents required for Copyright Registration, and the exact process for its registration.

What can be Registered?

Copyright Registration in Nepal can be performed for the following Materials/Objects/Work:

1. Book, pamphlet, article, thesis,
2. Drama, dramatic music, dumb show, etc.
3. Musical notation with or without words,
4. Audiovisual works,
5. Architectural design,
6. Fine Arts, painting, work of sculpture, work of woodcarving, lithography, and other works relating to architecture,
7. Photographic work
8. Work of applied art,
9. Illustration, map, plan, three-dimensional work relating to geography, and scientific article and work,
10. Computer program.

What cannot be Registered?

The Following aren’t subject to Copyright Registration in Nepal, as similar to Trademark Registration as provided by the Copyright Act:

1. Thought
2. Religion
3. News
4. Method of operation
5. Concept
6. Principle
7. Court judgment
8. Administrative decision
9. Folksong
10. Folktale
11. Proverb
12. General data

Process for Copyright Registration in Nepal

1. Go to system.nepalcopyright.gov.np/register

If you desire to conduct copyright Registration in Nepal online, you must go to system.nepalcopyright.gov.np/register and register your Username and Password to the Site.

2. Register Yourself and Submit the Online Application Form

After you have registered yourself to the Site, you shall be allowed to fill up an Online Form or Application for Copyright Registration in Nepal. It includes all the relevant details required including Name, Details, etc. You must upload all the required documents and verify which your application shall be processed.

3. Or, Provide an Application to the Nepal Copyright Registrar Office

You can also opt for Copyright Registration in Nepal by providing a Formal Application to the Nepal Copyright Registrar Office in the Format specified below in Nepali which is available to download from the Website mentioned above.

4. Wait for Examination and Investigation

After the Application has been submitted to the Office, the Registrar reviews the Application along with the Work with a Thorough Investigation. If any Objections are put in front, then the Objection is settled. Else, the Registrar reviews the application.

5. Registration and Certification

If the Application along with the Copyrighted Material is unique and has no issues at all, it can be formally registered by the Registrar. Thereafter, a Certificate of Copyright Registration is bestowed upon the Original Author of the Work.

Documents Required

1. A document that highlights the National Identity or Authorizes the Individual such as Citizenship Certificate.
2. Copies of the Composition to be Registered.
3. Document or Proof of Ownership of the Material to be registered for copyright.
4. All Relevant Details of the Material to be Copyrighted.
5. Completely Filled Application
6. Other Specifics for Broadcasting, Software, etc.

Registration of Royalty Collecting Body in Nepal

If a Royalty Collecting Body has to be Copyrighted under the Law of Nepal, it needs the following information:

1. Name and address of the Body.
2. Objectives of the Body.
3. Necessary qualification of the members of the Body and provision concerning membership fees.
4. Provision concerning resignation and expulsion of the members of the Body.
5. Provision regarding the general meeting of the Body.
6. Formation of the executive committee of the Body and provision concerning election.
7. Procedure regarding the meeting of the executive committee of the Body.
8. Fund of the Body and provision concerning income and expenditure and audit.
9. The amount expendable for administrative and managerial activities of the Body.
10. Collection of the royalty of the Body and provision for distribution.
11. Provision concerning a complaint of the Body.
12. Procedures for amendment of the statute of the Body.
13. Other necessary matters.

Rights of Copyright Owner

The Following are the Economic and Moral Rights provided after Copyright Registration:

1. Right to reproduce the work.
2. Right to translate the work.
3. Right to revise or amend the work.
4. Right to make arrangements or other transformations to the work.
5. Right to sell, distribute, or rent the work to the general public.
6. Right to transfer or rent these rights to others.
7. Right to import copies of the work.
8. Right to publicly exhibit the work
9. Right to perform the work publicly.
10. Right to broadcast the work.
11. Right to communicate the work to the general public.
12. Right to have their name mentioned in copies of the work.
13. If a pseudonym is used, the right to have it mentioned when the work is used publicly.
14. Right to prevent actions that undermine the work’s reputation or presentation.
15. Right to make necessary amendments to the work.

Terms of Copyright and Fees

The complete Procedure of Copyright Registration in Nepal takes at least 15 Days in Nepal based on the period of Examination and Investigation.

After the Registration of Copyright under the Copyright Act, it is protected for the Lifetime of the Author and fifty years after they have passed away. For Arts, Photography, or other forms of Works, the economic and moral rights are protected for twenty-five years from the year of its creation.

The Total Fee required for Copyright Registration in Nepal is NRP 100 along with a Ticket of NPR 10.